Multipurpose smoking device

ABSTRACT

A glass mouthpiece that includes a glass outer tube with a first opening on a top end of the glass outer tube and a second opening at a bottom end of the glass outer tube, and a glass inner tube that is entirely surrounded by the glass outer tube, where the first opening opens into the glass inner tube that extends from the top end and into the glass outer tube

FIELD

An aspect of the disclosure relates to a multipurpose smoking device. Other aspects are also described.

BACKGROUND

Various devices exist for smoking smokable substances, such as tobacco. The most commonly used device is a cigarette or cigar, which consists of tobacco rolled within a thin paper. The cigarette or cigar is ignited at one end and smoke, which is emitted from the ignited (or smoldering) tobacco and the thin paper, is inhaled or tasted from the other end unit the cigarette or cigar is spent. There are also smoking pipes that are reusable devices which are designed to hold smokable substances. For example, a chillum is a straight conical smoking pipe which is designed to hold tobacco at one end and, while the tobacco is ignited, allow the user to inhale the smoke emitted by the ignited tobacco at another end. As another example, a tobacco pipe is a pipe that typically consists of an upwardly facing bowl for holding the tobacco, a stem (or shank) that extends from the bowl and ends in a mouthpiece (the bit).

A water pipe is a filtration device that is used to smoke smokable substances (e.g., tobacco). Generally, a water pipe may be composed of three components: a chamber that includes a mouthpiece (or opening) on top, a downstem that is a small tube that has an opening into a bottom portion of the chamber, and a bowl that holds the smokable substance. During use, the bowl (or a tube of the bowl) is inserted into the downstem and the bottom portion of the chamber is filled with water until at least a portion of the downstem is submerged. A user's mouth is placed over the mouthpiece to form a seal and the smokable substance is ignited by a flame. The user inhales, causing smoke produced by the ignited smokable substance to travel through the downstem from the bowl and pass through the water, thereby filtering and/or cooling the smoke, which then collects in the chamber. Once the smokable substance is spent, the user removes the bowl from the downstem and inhales the smoke that has collected in the chamber.

SUMMARY

A casual smoker may own several smoking devices, such as a chillum (or smoking pipe) and a water pipe. Both devices may serve different purposes. For example, water pipes may be for home use, since water pipes may be large and require water. On the other hand, chillums are handheld smoking devices, which may be smaller than water pipes that allow a smoker to easily carry or stow them for use anywhere. Although both devices have their advantages, having multiple devices may be burdensome. For instance, a smoker will have to store and keep track of both devices. Also, having multiple smoking devices may require a considerable amount of time for maintenance (e.g., cleaning out the water pipe and chillum of spent smokable substance, etc.). In addition, smoker will have to purchase each device separately. Therefore, there is a need for a multipurpose smoking device that can be used as a handheld smoking pipe (e.g., a chillum) and can be used as a part of a water pipe.

The instant disclosure is directed to a multipurpose smoking device that includes a bowl of a water pipe and a mouthpiece that is separate from the water pipe and is for receiving the bowl. Specifically, the bowl is removably coupled to the mouthpiece, and when coupled to the mouthpiece they become a smoking pipe or chillum. The user may place a smokable substance in the bowl, which when ignited allows the user to inhale smoke through the mouthpiece. Otherwise, the bowl may be separated from the mouthpiece and used in conjunction with the water pipe to smoke the smokable substance. Thus, the multipurpose smoking device enables a user to smoke a smokable substance through a smoking pipe or a water pipe with ease.

In one aspect, the mouthpiece may be a glass mouthpiece that is for receiving a stem of the bowl. Specifically, the mouthpiece may include a glass outer tube with a first opening on a top end of the tube and a second opening at a bottom end of the tube, and may also include a glass inner tube that is entirely surrounded by the glass outer tube. The first opening may open into the inner tube that extends from the top end of the glass outer tube and into (e.g., a hollow interior of) the glass outer tube. The glass inner tube is for receiving the bowl of the water pipe via the first opening. In particular, the glass inner tube may be sized to receive a stem of the bowl.

The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the disclosure includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” aspect in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same aspect, and they mean at least one. Also, in the interest of conciseness and reducing the total number of figures, a given figure may be used to illustrate the features of more than one aspect of the disclosure, and not all elements in the figure may be required for a given aspect.

FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of a smoking device that includes a bowl and a mouthpiece according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows the bowl of the smoking device according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows the smoking device according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows the bowl of the smoking device a part of a water pipe during use according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows the smoking device with a cover according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several aspects of the disclosure with reference to the appended drawings are now explained. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described in the aspects are not explicitly defined, the scope of the disclosure is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some aspects of the disclosure may be practiced without these details. In other instances, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. Furthermore, unless the meaning is clearly to the contrary, all ranges set forth herein are deemed to be inclusive of the endpoints. In addition, the terms “over”, “to”, and “on” as used herein may refer to a relative position of one feature with respect to other features. One feature “over” or “on” another feature or bonded “to” another feature may be directly in contact with the other feature or may have one or more intervening layers. In addition, the use of relative terms throughout the description, such as “top”, “above or “upper” and “bottom”, “under” or “lower” may denote a relative position or direction. For example, a “top edge”, “top end” or “top side” may be directed in a first axial direction and a “bottom edge”, “bottom end” or “bottom side” may be directed in a second direction opposite to the first axial direction.

According to one aspect, a glass mouthpiece includes a glass outer tube with a first opening on a top end of the glass outer tube and a second opening at a bottom end of the glass outer tube; and a glass inner tube that is entirely surrounded by the glass outer tube, where the first opening opens into the glass inner tube that extends from the top end and into (e.g., a hollow interior of) the glass outer tube, where the glass inner tube is for receiving a bowl of a water pipe via the first opening. In one aspect, the glass outer tube is cylindrically-shaped. In some aspects, the glass inner tube is conically-shaped and tapers away from the top end of the glass outer tube and inward along a center longitudinal axis that runs through the glass mouthpiece. In one aspect, the second opening has a smaller diameter than the first opening. In some aspects, the glass outer tube has a height (or length) that is between 2 cm to 8 cm. In one aspect, the glass inner tube has a height that is between 1 cm to 4 cm. In another aspect, an outer surface of the glass inner tube does not come into contact with an inner surface of the glass outer tube. In some aspects, the glass inner tube and the glass outer tube are one integrated unit. In one aspect, an inner surface of the glass inner tube is a polished surface. In another aspect, an inner surface of the glass inner tube is a ground surface.

According to another aspect, a smoking device includes a bowl of a water pipe; and a mouthpiece that is separate from the water pipe and is for receiving the bowl. In one aspect, the mouthpiece may be similar to the mouthpiece that was previously described.

As described herein, to “couple” one component to another component may refer to fluidly coupling both components together thereby allowing a fluid, such as smoke produced by an ignited smokable substance, to flow between the two components. For example, to fluidly couple a tube to another tube (or chamber) refers to coupling (or connecting) both tubes together such that smoke (and/or liquid) may flow from one tube into the other tube.

FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of a smoking device that includes a bowl and a mouthpiece according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, this figure illustrates a smoking device 1 that includes a bowl 2 and a mouthpiece 3. In one aspect, the bowl may be any bowl of a water pipe, while the mouthpiece is separate (e.g., not coupled to) the water pipe and is designed for receiving the bowl, as described herein. As shown, each of these elements are separate (separable or removable) from one another. Also shown, a Z-axis is a center longitudinal axis that is running through (e.g., a center of) the bowl and/or the mouthpiece.

In one aspect, the bowl 2 and mouthpiece 3 may be composed of one or more materials. For example, the bowl and the mouthpiece may each be composed of (e.g., at least one of) glass, plastic, and/or metal (e.g., steel).

The bowl 2 includes an open top portion 4 (at a first or top end of the bowl), an open bottom portion 5 (at a second or bottom end of the bowl that is opposite to the first end), and a middle portion 6 that is disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion. As shown, the middle portion fluidly couples the open top portion with the open bottom portion. The top portion is cylindrically shaped and includes two separate chambers: a first (e.g., receiving) chamber 10 that is arranged to receive the smokable substance through a top opening 8, and a second (e.g., output) chamber 11 that is arranged to 1) receive smoke from the first chamber that is produced when the smokable substance within the first chamber is ignited and 2) supply smoke to the middle and bottom portions, as described herein. In particular, the output chamber 11 opens into the middle portion, which opens into the bottom portion 5. The open bottom portion includes a bottom opening 23, which is fluidly coupled to the top opening 8 through each portion of the bowl. The bottom portion is conically shaped such that a diameter of the bottom portion tapers from an edge (or ledge) 13 to the opening 23. In particular, the bottom portion tapers inward along the Z-axis, away from the edge 13.

As shown, both chambers 10 and 11 of the open top portion 4 are separated by a restriction 9, which is a torus-type structure. In particular, the restriction surrounds a portion of an inner surface of the open top portion, and tapers inward towards the Z-axis. At a center of the restriction is a hole 12 that fluidly couples the first chamber 10 with the second chamber 11. Also, the hole 12 has a smaller diameter than an inner diameter of the opening 8. Thus, the restriction reduces the inner diameter of the top portion 4 to restrict (e.g., large) objects from passing between both chambers. In one aspect, the restriction 9 may be a part (e.g., integrated with) the top portion. For example, the restriction may be formed of a wall of the bowl 2 that makes up the top portion 4.

The mouthpiece includes an outer tube 22 and an inner tube 20. The outer tube is cylindrically-shaped, and includes a top end 16 and a bottom end 18. The top end includes a (first) opening 17 and the bottom end includes another (second) opening 19. As shown, the bottom end 18 is dome shaped, such that the bottom end curves inward along the Z-axis. In one aspect, the second opening 19 is positioned at a bottom (e.g., a bottommost portion) of the bottom end 18. The inner tube 20 is entirely surrounded by the outer tube. Specifically, the inner tube is coupled to the (e.g., inside of the) top end 16 of the outer tube and extends from the top end and into (e.g., a hollow interior of) the outer tube 22. As shown, both the inner and outer tubes share the opening 17, such that if an object were to enter the opening 17, the object would traverse through the inner tube and the outer tube simultaneously. As described herein, the inner tube is for receiving the (e.g., open bottom portion 5 of the) bowl via the opening 17. The inner tube also includes a bottom opening 21 that opens into (e.g., the hollow interior of) the outer tube 22. As shown, each of the mouthpiece's openings 17, 19, and 21 are aligned with one another such that the Z-axis runs through a center of each opening. Also shown, the inner tube is conically-shaped, such that the tube tapers inward along the Z-axis and away from the top end 16. More about the dimensions of the mouthpiece are described herein.

As described herein, the (e.g., outer tube 22 of the) mouthpiece 3 is cylindrically-shaped, while the inner tube 20 is conically-shaped. In one aspect, however, the tubes may be shaped differently. For example, the inner tube may be cylindrically-shaped. As another example, either of the tubes may be square or rectangular-shaped. In another embodiment, the ends of the mouthpiece may be shaped differently. For instance, the bottom end 18 may be conically-shaped.

In one aspect, the outer tube 22 and the inner tube 20 is one integrated unit. For example, both tubes may be an integrated glass unit. In this case, the tubes may be created (or blown) from at least one piece of glass. In another aspect, the tubes may be removeably coupled to one another. As an example, the inner tube may be coupled (e.g., press fitted, threaded, etc.) into an opening (not shown) of the outer tube.

FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, this figure shows a cross-section of the mouthpiece 3, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. The following is a description of the dimensions of the mouthpiece, which includes various heights (or lengths) and diameters of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece (or more specifically the outer tube 22 of the mouthpiece 3) has a height (H₁) that extends from the top end 16 to the bottom end 18. In one aspect, H₁ may be a height ranging from 2 cm to 8 cm. In another aspect, H₁ may range from 3 cm to 7 cm. In some aspects, H₁ is 4.5 cm. The mouthpiece (or more specifically the outer tube) has a (e.g., outer) diameter (D₁), which may range from 1 cm to 4 cm. In another aspect, D₁ may range from 1.5 cm to 3 cm. In some aspects, D₁ is 2 cm. The inner tube 20 has a height (H₂) that extends from the opening 17 (or the end 16) to the opening 21 (or an end of the inner tube that is opposite to the end 17). In one aspect, H₂ may be a height ranging from 1 cm to 4 cm. In another aspect, H₂ may range from 1.5 cm to 3 cm. In some aspects, H₂ is 2.2 cm. In one aspect, H₂ may be half the height of H₁.

As shown, the openings of the mouthpiece 3 have differing dimensions. For example, the opening 17 has a diameter (D₂) that may range from 0.5 cm to 3 cm. In another aspect, D₂ may range from 1 cm to 2 cm. In some aspects, D₂ is 1.5 cm. The opening 19 has a diameter (D₃) that may range from 0.2 cm to 1.5 cm. In one aspect, D₃ may range from 0.3 cm to 1 cm. In some aspects, D₃ is 0.5 cm. The opening 21 of the inner tube 20 has a diameter (D₄) that may range from 0.4 cm to 3 cm. In one aspect, D₄ may range from 1 cm to 2 cm. In some aspects, D₄ is 1.4 cm. In one aspect, each of the openings may have differing diameters with respect to another. For example, the D₂ may be a greater diameter than D₃ and D₄, while D₄ may be a greater diameter than D₃. Thus, D₃ may have a smaller diameter than D₂. In another aspect, some of the diameters may be similar (or the same) to each other. For instance, D₂ and D₄ may be the same diameter (e.g., which may be the case when the inner tube 20 is cylindrically-shaped).

The inner tube 20 includes an inner (or inner-side) surface 25 and an outer (or outer-side) surface 27, and the outer tube 22 includes an inner surface 26. In one aspect, the inner surface of the inner tube may be a ground (or roughened) surface. In another aspect, the inner surface may be a polished surface (e.g., not roughened). In some aspects, the surfaces of the inner and outer tubes do not come into contact with one another. For example, the outer surface 27 of the inner tube (which extends from the end 16) does not come into contact with the inner surface 26 (which also extends from the end 16). As a result, there is space between the inner tube and the outer tube, as the inner tube extends from the end 16 and into the (e.g., hollow interior of the) outer tube.

FIG. 2 shows the bowl 2 of the smoking device 1 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, this figure shows several dimensions of the bowl 2. The bowl has a height (H₃) that extends from the (e.g., opening 8 of the) top portion 4 to the (e.g., opening 23 of the) bottom portion 5. In one aspect, H₃ may be a height ranging from 4 cm to 20 cm. In another aspect, H₃ may range from 5 cm to 12 cm. In some aspects, H₃ is 7 cm. The bowl has a (outer) diameter (D₅) that may range from 1 cm to 8 cm. In another aspect, D₅ may range from 1.5 cm to 5 cm. In some aspects, D₅ is 2 cm.

This figure also illustrates heights of each of the portions of the bowl 2. Specifically, the open top portion 4 has a height (H₄) that extends from the top end of the bowl to the middle portion 6. For instance, H₄ may extend along the cylindrical portion of the bowl that makes up the top portion 4. In one aspect, H₄ may range from 1.5 cm to 6 cm. In another aspect, H₄ may range from 2.5 cm to 4.5 cm. In some aspects, H₄ is 3.5 cm. The middle portion 6 has a height (H₅) that extends from (e.g., a bottom end of) the top portion 4 to the edge 13 of the bottom portion 5. In one aspect, H₅ may range from 0.5 cm to 2 cm. In another aspect, H₅ may range from 0.7 cm to 1.5 cm. In some aspects, H₅ is 1 cm. The bottom portion 5 has a height (H₆) that extends from the edge 13 to the bottom end of the bowl. In one aspect, H₆ may range from 1 cm to 4 cm. In another aspect, H₆ may range from 1.5 cm to 3 cm. In some aspects, H₆ is 2.2 cm.

FIG. 3 shows the smoking device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. This figure shows that the bowl 2 has been combined with the mouthpiece 3, thereby creating the smoking device (as one unit). Specifically, the bottom portion 5 of the bowl 2 has been received by the inner tube 20 of the mouthpiece, such that the bottom portion has been inserted into the inner tube up to the edge 13 (which is in contact with the top end 16 of the mouthpiece 3). In one aspect, H₆ of the bottom portion 5 is similar (or the same) as H₂ of the inner tube 20, such that opening 23 is parallel with opening 21 of the inner tube.

Thus, the smoking device 1 may be used by a user for smoking a smokable substance as a chillum. A brief description of its use will now be described. For example, a smokable substance may be placed within the receiving chamber 10 of the bowl. The user may place the (e.g., bottom end 18 of the) mouthpiece to the user's lips. The user ignites the smokable substance with a flame and begins to inhale. Smoke created by the ignited smokable substance passes through the (e.g., second chamber 11 of the) top portion, into the middle portion 6, and into the bottom portion 5. The smoke exits the opening 23 (and simultaneously exits opening 21) and enters the hollow interior of the outer tube 22. The smoke in the outer tube is then inhaled by the user through the opening 19.

As described herein, the smoking device may be a chillum (as shown in FIG. 3), or may be a part of a water pipe. FIG. 4 shows the bowl of the smoking device a part of a water pipe during use according to another aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, this figure shows a glass water pipe 40 that includes water 41. The bowl 2 is inserted into a downstem 42 that extends into the water 41. The user may smoke the (e.g., same) smokable substance contained within the bowl 2 that the user was smoking as part of the smoking device 1, through use of the water pipe 40. Thus, the user may interchangeable smoke the smokable substance through either device.

FIG. 5 shows the smoking device with a cover according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, this figure shows that the bowl 2 includes a cover 50 that is coupled to the top end of the top portion 4. In one aspect, the cover may be a threaded cap that includes an inner thread. In this case, the top portion may include a threaded top end portion (not shown) with an outer thread, which is arranged to threadedly couple to the threaded cap. In one aspect, the cover may be a safety (or child-resistant) cover (or cap). For instance, the cover may be a safety cap which may be threaded onto the top portion by twisting the cap in a first (clockwise) direction, but may not be removed by only twisting the cap in a second, opposite (counterclockwise) direction. Instead, to remove the cap, a user must push the cap downwards (towards the bottom portion 5 of the bowl and twist in the second direction. In another aspect, the cover may be any type of cover. For example, the cover may be a lid that is pressed over the (e.g., opening 8 of the) top portion 4, such that the cover fits around an outer surface of the top portion. In one aspect, the cover may be latched and secured to the bowl 2. For example, the cover 20 may be a swing-top (or flip-top) cap that is fitted with a (e.g., rubber) gasket and held in place by a metal latch. In some aspects, the cover may be composed of any material, such as metal, rubber, wood, etc.

While certain aspects have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such aspects are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad disclosure, and that the disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In some aspects, this disclosure may include the language, for example, “at least one of [element A] and [element B].” This language may refer to one or more of the elements. For example, “at least one of A and B” may refer to “A,” “B,” or “A and B.” Specifically, “at least one of A and B” may refer to “at least one of A and at least one of B,” or “at least of either A or B.” In some aspects, this disclosure may include the language, for example, “[element A], [element B], and/or [element C].” This language may refer to either of the elements or any combination thereof. For instance, “A, B, and/or C” may refer to “A,” “B,” “C,” “A and B,” “A and C,” “B and C,” or “A, B, and C.” 

What is claimed is:
 1. A glass mouthpiece comprising: a glass outer tube with a first opening on a top end of the glass outer tube and a second opening at a bottom end of the glass outer tube; and a glass inner tube that is entirely surrounded by the glass outer tube, wherein the first opening opens into the glass inner tube that extends from the top end and into the glass outer tube, wherein the glass inner tube is for receiving a bowl of a water pipe via the first opening.
 2. The glass mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the glass outer tube is cylindrically-shaped.
 3. The glass mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the glass inner tube is conically-shaped and tapers away from the top end and inward along a center longitudinal axis that runs through the glass mouthpiece.
 4. The glass mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the second opening has a smaller diameter than the first opening.
 5. The glass mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the glass outer tube has a height that is between 2 cm to 8 cm.
 6. The glass mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the glass inner tube has a height that is between 1 cm to 4 cm.
 7. The glass mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the glass inner tube does not come into contact with an inner surface of the glass outer tube.
 8. The glass mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the glass inner tube and the glass outer tube are one integrated unit.
 9. The glass mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the glass inner tube is a polished surface.
 10. The glass mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the glass inner tube is a ground surface.
 11. A smoking device comprising a bowl of a water pipe; and a mouthpiece that is separate from the water pipe and is for receiving the bowl.
 12. The smoking device of claim 11, wherein the mouthpiece comprises 1) an outer tube with a top opening and a bottom opening, and 2) an inner tube that is entirely surrounded by the outer tube and extends from the top opening and into the outer tube, wherein the mouthpiece receives the bowl via the inner tube.
 13. The smoking device of claim 11, wherein the outer tube is cylindrically-shaped.
 14. The smoking device of claim 11, wherein the inner tube is conically-shaped and tapers away from the top opening and inward along a center longitudinal axis that runs through the mouthpiece.
 15. The smoking device of claim 11, wherein the outer tube and the inner tube are composed of glass.
 16. The smoking device of claim 15, wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are one integrated glass unit.
 17. The smoking device of claim 15, wherein an inner surface of the glass inner tube is either a polished surface or a ground surface.
 18. The smoking device of claim 11, wherein the outer tube has a height that is between 2 cm to 8 cm.
 19. The smoking device of claim 11, wherein the inner tube has a height that is between 1 cm to 4 cm.
 20. The smoking device of claim 11, wherein an outer surface of the inner tube does not come into contact with an inner surface of the outer tube. 